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It’s hard to ask for help – especially if you’re used to having everyone look up to you for that. Now family and friends of Brandon Cantrell are asking for your help in raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with his bone marrow transplant.
Brandon is a 44 year old man who has been battling AML (acute myeloid leukemia) for two years. After multiple rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and a brief remission, he relapsed and a bone marrow transplant is his only hope for survival and a future with his family. Brandon is a strong, physically fit, health-conscious role model for the 5 young boys in his family – including his 3 nephews.
It’s overwhelming. The shock, fear, and despair added to the panic about how to pay for everything. The costs of transplant, hospital, medications, and post-transplant care are simply staggering. In addition to treatment, medical housing was deemed essential in order to be treated at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance since he must live within 20 minutes of the clinic and hospital. This facility is about 2 hours from his home. His family is very supportive and involved in caring for him, but cannot be a part of his daily life because of the distance.
Brandon has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support! Generosity helps save lives.
THEY'RE HOME! Brandon and Anita have moved to her house where he can continue his recovery. They are both so glad to be back! He has a long way to go still, but is progressing really well. There are some uncertainties for him for the future, but doctors are very hopeful.
Brandon wants to thank you so much for your help and support. The last two years have been a struggle for his whole family - emotionally, physically, and financially. It will be months before he can work again, so your financial support and continued prayers are a great blessing.
GREAT NEWS! The bone marrow test shows that Brandon is in complete remission! They are scheduled to go home on April 21st! That's so exciting for the whole family.
They'll go to Anita's house until Brandon can gain more strength and build up immunity. At one year from transplant, he will have to have all his vaccinations again. Right now he has no immunity to chicken pox or other common childhood diseases.
This is a huge step in his recovery, but keep praying for him. There are still many obstacles to be overcome. Thank you for all your support.
Aunt Candy
Brandon continues to exceed expectations! Next milestone is a bone marrow test on April 2nd which will give the doctors a solid indication of his status. Probably won't get results till around the 6th, but we'll all be waiting for that. It will provide basis for date that he can move back home.
Please keep those prayers and good wishes coming! Thanks for all your support.
Aunt Candy
Brandon continues to do great. The clinic staff call him a "rock star". He's walking the stairs in his building to get exercise and his appetite is good. The main concern is avoiding infection so they still have to live a very isolated life style. It's getting boring and they're looking forward to day 120 so they can move back home.
They thank you all for your strong support and continuing prayers.
Aunt Candy
Great News! The bone marrow test was totally negative! Which is a totally positive thing! All his blood counts are very good too. He is still battling the HVGD but is making progress there too. He's in great shape for 40 days out from the transplant! Still looking at end of April or early May for getting to go home.
Still waiting on final results of bone marrow test. Hopefully early next week. Brandon's doing ok. Not sleeping very well which is always hard. Doctors are pleased with his progress and response to GVHD treatment.
Brandon's having a bone marrow test today. That will tell them a lot. He'll be closely monitored at the clinic for 100 - 120 days from date of transplant. If no complications, he will get to go home after that. However, the reality is that 90% of patients have some sort of infection that puts them back in the hospital.
He's made great progress, but the fight is far from over. Thanks to all of you for your strong support. Keep those prayers coming.
Aunt Candy
Whohoo!!! Brandon is getting out of the hospital today! Understandably he's been getting pretty stir crazy since he's been there for over a month. Still lots of challenges as he regains his strength and his body continues to build healthy marrow. He and his Mom have an apartment near the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Clinic in South Lake Union area of Seattle. He has to be within 20 minutes of the clinic until he's given the ok. Could still be a couple of months till they can move back home. Long haul for both of them and Shawn and the boys.
Aunt Candy
Unfortunately Brandon has the Graft versus Host Disease. About 4 out of 5 bone marrow transplant patients will get it. He has a constant fever now and other symptoms. They're treating him with prednisone. He's very tired but has set his sights on being able to leave the hospital next week.
Really need all your prayers and good thoughts as he battles through this latest problem.
Brandon's having trouble with a stubborn fever that comes back every night. He can't be released until he goes 48 hours without a fever so he's very frustrated. Probably seems to him like he's been in the hospital forever. This is the time when infections are really dangerous so he can't take any chances with leaving too soon.
Big news! Brandon's cells came in! He has 110 neutrophils (don't know what they are but they're good). He should be able to fight the infection now and start getting some strength back. Still a long way to go, but this is a great milestone.
Go Brandon!
Aunt Candy
There are very good signs for Brandon today. Neutrophils don't show on the test yet, but he does have white blood cells. Doctor says the neutrophils are probably fighting the mucositis infection and should show up in a day or two on the test.
If he can get his neutrophil count to an absolute 500, have no fever for 3 days, and be able to eat and drink on his own, he could get to move to their apartment near the clinic in 7 to 10 days! You can imagine how excited he would be to get out of the hospital.
Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts. Keep them coming! He's not at the top of the mountain yet.
Aunt Candy
Your prayers and good thoughts would really be appreciated now as Brandon is having a tough time. He has mucositis and can barely swallow water. He needs to be on IV nutrition and pain meds. This is definitely an uphill battle.
Thanks for your words of support.
Aunt Candy
We're taking bets on when Brandon's new cells will start coming in. He and Shawn have both picked the 26th. See the calendar in the photo albums. I picked the 26th too without knowing that they had.
It's a big milestone so let us know your guesses?
Aunt Candy
Brandon is now at day 8. Shawn says his neutrophils have dropped, as was expected. He has mouth sores, but overall he's doing well. He's faithfully walking laps every day to keep up his strength and has walked 26 miles so far! Pretty amazing since it's a very small area he has to do laps in.
Brandon is doing very well, but he will be having 2 days of chemo on 13th and 14th. He'll likely feel effects for a few days. Plus he has extreme fatigue. The chemo is to help reduce the risk of Graft versus Host Disease which can have serious consequences. So far things are progressing very well.
Today (the 10th) is zero day. They waited all day for the donor marrow to arrive. Finally it was time and he got the infusion. See pictures posted of staff singing Happy Birthday to him as he starts the process.
Thank you to all who have shown support in prayers and good thoughts.
Shawn took 2 pictures of a Timeline on the wall in the hallway of the Transplant Center. Kind of hard to read but she has one that's a full chart and then a close up. Today is January 8th which is day -2. The 10th will be 0 day and is called his Birthday. It shows very clearly that he's got a big mountain to climb.
Thanks to everyone for their support. It's been very heartwarming.
Brandon's schedule has changed slightly. He will go into the hospital on January 4th and start chemo on the 5th for 4 days. He'll get one day of rest and on January 10th, he will get the bone marrow transplant.
The doctors are sounding very positive because they were fortunate to find a very good donor match. Also aside from being rundown after chemo, Brandon is in very good health. His body is strong and we all have faith that he's going to fight his way through this huge challenge.
Aunt Candy
On January 3, 2018, Brandon will go into University of Washington hospital for 30 days of treatment. His medical team tells him this will be the hardest thing he's ever done in his life. Please send him your prayers to give him strength.
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Glad that you are going home. FINALLY! Hurrah!
H. David Kaplan
Praise God on being released! What fantastic news! How long will the graft vs host last? Enjoy some freedom and follow doctors orders! I will let the classes at Thrive know about this update. They will be celebrating with you!! Best wishes!
Jenny Bautista
Wonderful news for Brandon and his family. A step closer to his "real" home and all the love and encouragement just waiting for him..a great day!
Dawn..Aunt Candy's friend
Dawn Hill
Great news about the neutrophils. You're on the right track, Brandon. Keep your eye on the prize and you'll get there eventually..
H. David Kaplan
Brandon walked 26 miles. He is quite the guy! I am sending best wishes for the new cells and pray for him.
Betty Brickl
Congratulations, Brandon, on those 26 miles. I know it's a challenge, but your courage and determination will get you through it.
H. David Kaplan
God bless you Brandon as you take this big step to healing! May God go with you, hold your hand and hold you up when strength is low! Praying for peace, a successful transplant and more! We are all behind you! Everyone asks about you and your mom daily! Sending lots of love and hugs!!
jenny and the thrive senior classes
Jenny
Brandon, I am Aunt Candy's sis-in-law Debbie.
I will be praying for you and your family as you endure this journey. God is always right there for you good or bad, lean on the One who created you!
Blessings to all, Debbie
Debbie Girias
Sending good thoughts your way. Keep that positive attitude and you'll get through this.
Shirley Endres Dhuyvetter
Good luck, Brandon! I was a high school classmate of Anita, and am a lymphoma survivor. Many people pitched in to drive me to chemo, etc. My stomach recalls those days of thinking about mashed potatoes and oatmeal.
Theo Clancey Gustafson
Best of Luck...
Tracy & Sue
Tracy & Sue
Dear Brandon and your sweet family,
We have heard such loving things about you and you all will be in our thoughts while you are making this journey. Many prayers for all of you.
Dawn..a friend and neighbor of Candy and Jim
Dawn Hill
Hi Brandon
I am a neighbor of your Aunt Candy. Sending you prayers and positive thoughts.
You can do this Brandon ... I just know you can!
Linda K.
Hi Brandon,
A friend of your Aunt Candy from HS.
Wishing you a successful journey with this transplant.
HUGE HUGS
Marsha Ray
Brandon,
So happy that you found a donor with a very good match! What a gift! Sending you lots of prayers and good thoughts.
Maria & Jeff (friends of your Aunt Candy)
Wishing you great success in the challenges ahead. All the best to you, Shawn, Jesse and Sam.
H. David Kaplan (Silver Sneakers)
Brandon,
Our hearts and prayers are with you!!! Stay TOUGH! FIGHT!
PREVAIL !
Carl & Carla & Nano Bratcher
Our prayers are with you! Keep fighting! Love and hugs
Kim Townes and family
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Brandon Cantrell
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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